Blogging The Boys
The Dallas Cowboys found their new defensive coordinator in Christian Parker. The changes on the defensive staff won’t stop there though. Per NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Cowboys will interview Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebackers coach Denzel Martin.
Martin has been with the Steelers since 2016. He first started out as a scouting assistant. After two years in that role, Martin was a coaching assistant for the next two seasons. In 2020, Martin got his next promotion when he was named the assistant outside linebackers coach in Pittsburgh, and he held that position for three seasons. Over the last three years, Martin has been the outside linebackers coach for the Steelers.
During his time in Pittsburgh, Martin has been vital in the development of multiple key contributors on the Steelers defense. The elevation of T.J. Watt, who tied the old sack record of 22.5 back in 2021, is undoubtedly the biggest notch on the belt for Martin during coaching career as he’s become one of the league’s most feared pass rushers. Also, Martin has been key in developing Alex Highsmith, who the Steelers drafted in the third round in 2020.
Dallas is also moving on from several assistant coaches. Linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi, passing game coordinator Andre Curtis, and secondary/cornerbacks coach David Overstreet II won’t be back in 2026 according to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News.
All three of these coaches came over from the Chicago Bears with former defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. Borgonzi didn’t do enough to elevate the linebacker position in 2025, with the biggest red flag being that second-year linebacker Marist Liufau took a step back. Also, Jack Sanborn and Kenneth Murray, who were acquired last offseason, didn’t contribute much. As far as the Cowboys secondary in 2025, they finished last against the pass as they allowed 251.5 yards per game.
Change on the defensive staff was much-needed for the Cowboys going forward after yielding the worst defenses in team history this season. Parker hasn’t wasted any time getting to work to do just that.
